2. Bone, Cartilage & Growth Flashcards
Covers the different types of cartilage
What are the three main properties of cartilage?
Able to undergo interstitial growth
Avascular
Aneural
What are the three types of cartilage?
Articular (Hyaline) cartilage
Fibrocartilage
Elastic
Outline the properties and function of Fibrocartilage
Strongest type of cartilage. Alternating layers of hyaline cartilage matrix and thick layers of dense collagen I & II fibres
No perichondrium as it is usually a transitional layer between hyaline cartilage and tendon or ligament
Provides tough support & great tensile strength
Lines surfaces of bony grooves for tendons
Found between intervertebral discs & symphyses etc
Outline the properties and function of Elastic cartilage
Similar composition to hyaline cartilage but has its chondrocytes in a threadlike network of elastic fibres
Has a perichondrium
Found in ears, auditory walls, larynx & epiglottis
Keeps tubes open permanently open
Outline the properties and function of Hyaline (articular) cartilage
Predominantly made of Type II cartilage
Hydrated & slippery connective tissue that covers the ends of bones in synovial joints
It is designed to withstand and distribute load
Act as a shock absorber
Provide wear resistance to articulating joints
be self maintaining
Deeper layer (interacts with bone) and is calcified
Explain how the Hydrated gel component of Articular cartilage functions
Expands between the collagen fibres and is held together by other ‘structural’ molecules
Resistant to compression
Outline the role of chondrocytes
The only cell found in cartilage, found within lacunae
Produce and maintain the cartilage matrix by having the ability to continually secret new matrix even when embedded
They are capable of division with the matrix
Have distinct properties within different areas of the matrix
